Next step?

[reedal]

Measure your battery's resting voltage after the car has not been used or ran over night. when you conduct your test, you should use that voltage as your reference for whether your alt can keep up with the current demands of your car and the system. If it goes to that resting voltage or lower, then I'd recommend an alt upgrade.

[Mitchaford]

If you plan on having more than a 1500 watt system I would just get an alt.

Having constant power on tap is always good.

You can add a second battery with your current setup but could still get light dims.

Like others have said you'll still get light dimming minor voltage drops.

You can get HIDs and that would fix your light dimming.

Put a volt meter in and lead it to your amp. It will probably show .01-.03 higher than what your battery(s) see.

If you have room for a second meter, put it on your battery.

I have meters on my front batt, rear batts, and there is one on my gain knob for the amp.

[twalker182]

Thanks reedal. I knew there had to be a way to test.

[twalker182]

I ended up adding a voltmeter and at idle, full tilt I would never see below 12.8.

Today all of a sudden my voltage, while driving, is hovering around 11.8-12.1 (but will jump up to as high as 13.8 for a few seconds).

Took my car to Auto Zone and had charging system tested. Passed.

Anybody know what's going on?